Top nurse backs our campaign

AS lead nurse for the elderly at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Jerry MacSweeney sees first-hand how pensioners' health can suffer through the winter. And now he has praised the M.E.N and Cheshire Building Society's Winter Warmer Appeal for raising awareness about the struggle some elderly folk face to keep warm and healthy.

AS lead nurse for the elderly at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Jerry MacSweeney sees first-hand how pensioners' health can suffer through the winter.

And now he has praised the M.E.N and Cheshire Building Society's Winter Warmer Appeal for raising awareness about the struggle some elderly folk face to keep warm and healthy.

He points out that hospital admissions of pensioners increase dramatically as the temperature drops.

Our campaign aims to redistribute the government's winter fuel allowance of £100 to £300, through Age Concern, to those pensioners most in need.

Jerry, 51, who has worked at the infirmary for five years, said: "There's an increase in falls, strokes and chest infections during winter.

Culprits

"These are the three main culprits. The cold makes it even more difficult for the elderly to fight off infections and recover from illnesses.

"We ask pensioners who receive the winter fuel allowance, but do not use it to heat their homes, to donate it to a fund helping the less fortunate."

The appeal aims to reduce the number of pensioners dying through cold-related conditions. There were an estimated 3,300 needless winter deaths among elderly people in the north west last year - the highest in the country.